A reader asks about using Q-tips and alcohol to
relieve itching ears. Questions may be sent to
"contact us" on this site or or faxed to at (719)
676-6882. Due to space limitations, questions may be
edited. Replies are for educational purposes only,
and are not to be construed as medical advice or
opinion.
What's Causing My Ears to Itch?
By
Max S. Chartrand, M.A.,
DigiCare Hearing Research & Rehabilitation
Q: I wear hearing aids, and the itching nearly
drives me crazy. I clean my ears everyday with
alcohol and a Q-tip, but it just seems to get worse.
--- Mr. H.M.
Dear Mr. H.M.: The second half of your question
tells me why the first half is a problem (smile).
Seriously, the last thing you want to do is keep
your ears “clean”, believe me. Here is how the ears,
left alone, take care of that little detail very
nicely:
§ The outer layer of tissue of the external ear
canal is a keratin protein composed of the same
material as your hair (i.e., inorganic and without
nerves or blood circulation). It acts to “seal” the
sensitive epithelium (skin cells) below it from
bacteria, fungus, yeast, and pseudomonas that
otherwise would keep the ear stirred up with
infection and irritation.
§ The tissue below, as noted, is called epithelium.
The tissue near the outside of the ear canal has 7
layers, reducing to 5 layers further into the ear,
and finally 3 very thin layers by the time you reach
about ¾-1” into your ear canal. These cells grow
outward from the eardrum, and “drag” the keratin
above it out. This is called “tissue desquamation”.
It moves at a very slow rate, so that at the end of
3 months a piece of sand on the eardrum will end up
in the bowl (concha) of your outer ear for easy
removal by fingertip.
§ When the keratin is scraped out with a Q-tip or
any other object, it exposes the sensitive tissue
and several nerve reflexes for chronic irritation.
Plus, it keeps the two substances form earwax (ceruminous
and sebaceous secretions) from mixing. Instead, they
go into a dry powder, and fail to form the needed pH
and antiseptic properties needed to keep the ears
healthy.
§ If you will leave objects of all kinds out of your
ears, and apply Miracell Botanical Solution daily
for a period of 2 weeks (it takes a lot!), you will
find that your keratin will grow back in,
sensitivity will ease up, and your hearing aids will
once again become more comfortable.
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE SLIDE PRESENTATION ON THE
EXTERNAL EAR CARE COURSE |
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